| Altenberg Lieder | |
|---|---|
| Orchestral songs byAlban Berg | |
 The composer, sketched byEmil Stumpp in 1927 | |
| Native name | Fünf Orchesterlieder nach Ansichtskarten von Peter Altenberg |
| Opus | 4 |
| Text | Postcards byPeter Altenberg |
| Language | German |
| Performed | March 31, 1913 (1913-03-31) |
| Movements | 5 |
| Scoring |
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Alban Berg'sFive Orchestral Songs after Postcards by Peter Altenberg (German:Fünf Orchesterlieder nach Ansichtskarten von Peter Altenberg),Op. 4, were composed in 1911 and 1912 for medium voice, ormezzo-soprano. They are considered a truesong cycle, unlike his previous two groups of songs, theSieben frühe Lieder of 1908 and theVier Gesänge, Op. 2, of 1910, and they are his first work for orchestra. The postcard texts by contemporary Viennese poetPeter Altenberg recount the stormy but beautiful condition of the soul and the palpable sensations of love and longing. The highly imaginative music responds with manydisplacedostinati and a conflicted, lyrical passion.
When two of the songs (Numbers 2 and 3) were performed for the first time – on 31 March 1913 under the baton of Berg's mentorArnold Schoenberg in Vienna'sMusikverein[1] – members of the audience were so taken aback as to erupt in afamous riot, wounding the composer's feelings so deeply that he never again sought a performance for them.
The songs are:[2]
The work is scored for medium voice (mezzo-soprano) and a large orchestra consisting of:[2]
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| Operas | |
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| Orchestral works | |
| Chamber music | |
| Piano music | |
| Vocal music | |
| Related articles | |
